BICOM

A report on Israel’s Channel Two last night claimed that US President Obama spoke with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reassured him of his determination to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

According to the report, Obama telephoned Netanyahu in order to give him prior notice ahead of his public announcement that he would refer military action against the Assad regime in Syria to Congress. During this conversation, the report claims, Obama said that decisions over Syria would have “no negative implications” over his stance on Iran. He apparently reassured Netanyahu that he is committed to thwarting Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The report quoted Obama saying, “I remain determined to prevent Iran going nuclear.” Apparently, Obama also agreed that he would inform Netanyahu ahead of any military strike on Syria.

At Sunday’s cabinet meeting, Netanyahu appealed to ministers not to comment publicly on Obama’s referral of military action to Congress. Indeed, there has been little or no subsequent public comment from government figures on the issue. Yesterday, at a dedication ceremony in the north of the country, Netanyahu himself reiterated a message of calm and readiness which he has repeated on several occasions during the last week. He said, “Our state is peaceful, certain of the strength of the IDF and sure of itself because it knows that it can defend itself… I will not allow anyone to harm the State of Israel.”

However, Israel’s President Shimon Peres did directly address Obama’s decision to refer military action to Congress during a wide-ranging interview with Army Radio. He said he is “certain that the United States will respond on Syria” in the end. Peres added that he does not believe that Obama “will allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons,” adding “I trust him [Obama] on everything that affects Israel.”

Meanwhile, Syria’s President Assad warned yesterday in an interview with Le Figaro that Western military intervention could spark a “regional war.”